Two seconds after Radinsky told us we could start, Pansy skipped over to me. SKIPPED.

"I'm so thrilled to be working with you! Don't worry, I woun't be as naggy as that Granger," Pansy purred, fluttering her eyelashes. Gag city.

"So what gadgets do Muggles use, Pansy?" I asked, ignoring the looks she sent me and trying not to hurl.

"I have absolutely no idea. Why don't you tell me?" she murmured.

I groaned inwardly. "There's this small device they use to communicate. Works just like a phone - if you know what that is - but requires no wires. If only I knew what it's called..."

"You're so smart, Draky!" Pansy cooed.

Urgh. Not only is Pansy not helping, she's basically agreeing to every single thing I say. And she's completely helpless in Muggles Studies. Supposedly I told her there was a gadget that cleans buttocks, she probably would think I'm a genius.

I saw Weasley put his arm around Hermione to console her. I had to stop myself from desperately tearing his limbs apart.

That night when I went into Hermione's room, I was feeling very much jealous. Even though my arms were encircling her waist, I had to repeatedly tell myself that Hermione was MY girl and nobody can take her away from ME.

"A penny for your thoughts," Hermione teased.

"Just thinking about you," I answered, smiling.

We kept quiet for a while, enjoying each other's presence.

"Are you still in love with Weasley?" I asked, breaking the peaceful silence and regretted it the instant it came out of my mouth.

She pulled away from my embrace and narrowed her eyes at me. "Draco. Do you know what you are yapping about?"

"Yapping!" I glared at her. "I wasn't yapping. I just wanted to make sure. You probably enjoyed that little scene in Radinsky's class didn't you? Wealey putting his arm around you..." I spat, getting worked up and practically shouting at the top of my voice.

Hermione glared at me. "For your information, Ron was just consoling me! That's what friends are for!" she yelled.

"Not that you had any!" Hermione added.

"Oh yeah, I'm so upset that I don't have friends who hug me for no good reason," I snapped.

"What about Pansy Parkinson? Besides, it wasn't a 'no good reason'! Everyone heard what she said!" Hermione shouted.

"All she said was mudblood! What's the big deal!?" I yelled.

"That's bad enough! What did you expect? Her put a curse on me? She tried to strangle me the other time!"

"Maybe a curse would be good! Then you'd shut up!" I yelled, getting worked up. "Mudblood!"

She stared at me, hurt. "Get out," she said quietly.

I noticed her eyes were full of unshed tears.

"Hermione, I'm - " I started to say.

"Malfoy, I said get out!" she screamed, throwing things at me.

I cringed at the addressing and threw my hands up in surrender, creeping out silently and closed the door behind me.

I heard her cry and desperately clawed at the door. No result.

I headed back to my room, shoulders sagging, passing the other prefects who looked at me curiously.

I am so screwed up, I thought as I leaned against the door of my bedroom.

Hermione's POV

I sat on the floor, sobbing my heart out. How silly I was to think our love could last. I should never have told him I liked him. I should never have let him cast the truth spell on me. I should never have become a prefect. I should never have come to Hogwarts. I should never have... never have...

"Stop," I commanded myself. "It's not your fault - it's Malfoy's."

I closed my eyes and tried to meditate. But each time I closed my eyes and tried to clear my mind, images of his blond hair... blue-gray eyes... came floating back to me.

"I should just 'oblivate' myself." I mumbled miserably.

But a part of me didn't want to. That part of me wanted to remember... remember this ridiculous times when I thought I was in love... times that seemed impossible now.

A stupid, silly part of me.

"Stop, stop, stop," I repeated, chewing on my nails absent-mindedly.

What am I upset over? It's his loss - not mine.

I so have to get myself together.

***

The next day, I woke up in the afternoon with a terrible headache. I recalled last night and buried my head into my pillow.

Then I remembered.

Ron was coming over to do the assignment.

I groaned in frustration.

"... Hermione!"

Oh, great. He's here already.

I quickly brushed my teeth and changed into an oversize shirt and shorts, put up a big, bright and fake smile and headed downstairs.

"Morning, Ron!" I said brightly.

He frowned at me, complaining about how long I took to come down.

"Can we start?" I interrupted.

He looked at me oddly and shrugged.

Half an hour later, he was complaining about how Muggle should keep things simple.

The way he said it reminded me of Draco.

"Malfoy," I mumbled, correcting myself.

Ron gave me an odd look again. "Did you just say 'Malfoy'?"

I shook my head vigorously and widened my eyes in an attempt to look innocent.